non-fictionIn the early 19th Century rural Ireland was experiencing severe economic and social problems Population continued to grow as couples married at 16 or 17 and proceeded to have an average of 9 children. At the bottom end of the social scale labourers and the very smallest of farmers were in dire poverty. For the more comfortable farmers with 20 acres or so circumstances were better as they were in a position to grow additional crops which generated extra valuable income. Crop failures in 1822 and 1837 and again in 1845 to 1848 brought about unendurable hardship and famine. It was against this backdrop that Michael Neylon (Nilon) left his native Benvoran, Kilmurry McMahon Co Clare in search of opportunity and a better life. Now Beverley Rasker (nee Nilon) has fully researched his arrival in Australia in 1841 and she has taken up his story and that of his many descendants. Having communicated with Beverley for some time, I eventually had the pleasure of meeting her in September 2000, during her 2nd trip to Ireland in connection with her research. She has now put together an excellent record of interesting and informative material, which indeed makes us all proud of the achievements of the Neylon (Nilon) family. As we say in Irish'Molann an obair an fear' Sean Neylon, Kilkee, Co Clare Ireland. November 2000michael nilon, bolong (nsw), cootamundra (nsw)